So….does this describe your mornings? You wake up late (forgot to set your alarm), kids are asking where their uniforms/shoes are, lunches aren’t packed and there goes the bus. After dropping the kids at school you drive through somewhere because you are hungry. You are running late so you drive a little fast only to spill coffee on your shirt. Any of this sound familiar? Want it to be a thing of the past?
Listen up….the secret to getting out of the house on time with less screaming and panicking is simple: Prepare the night before.
That’s it.
So simple. How you ask?
Prepare the night before. Have an evening routine. The more you do at night the less you have to do in the morning when your brain isn’t fully functioning. I start mine after dinner and it looks like this:
• Clean kitchen (load DW, put away food, wipe counters)
• Check homework progress/ sign all necessary paperwork
• Bathe kids, jammies & teeth
• Set out tomorrow’s clothes for everyone. This includes shoes and backpacks.
• Check calendar (What is tomorrow’s activity?) Pack set out bags (dance, hip hop, karate)
• Make sure backpacks are packed (lunches, money, library book, gym clothes)
• Set dishwasher timer
• Shower and set alarms & go to bed at a decent hour.
I do this every night….I just skip over school stuff on weekends and holidays. I make sure my kids have enough uniforms to last the entire week and I make sure ALL uniforms are washed and hung up on Sunday. I have it written out and have it in my home management binder. But you can put it on a couple of post it notes and place them where you need them.
I also get up before my kids. Sometimes my oldest gets up at the same time but she is 14 and dresses herself. I get up about an hour before my youngest so I can get everything done. I also have a morning routine written out. Why? Because my brain takes longer to wake up, so I have it posted where I can just go chore by chore. I am a firm believer in the more you prepare the easier your morning.
I know anytime I don’t feel well or something happens and my night time routine goes out of the window I pay for it dearly in the morning.
Do you have a night time routine? Any tips for getting out of you house on time in the mornings?
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I have a schedule posted on the fridge so the kids can see it – and I don’t have to keep reminding them that it’s time to put on your shoes! I also have a no tv in the morning rule – it just slowed them down!
My kids have the no tv rule too. The oldest doesn’t have one and I usually have the news on when the little one is getting dressed. So not much to keep her occupied…lol.
Great hints, guys! I guess I’d have to do a visual schedule since my kids aren’t reading yet–I bet it would help, though!